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diminutive

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The definition of diminutive is small or tiny.

(adjective)

An example of diminutive is the size of Santa's elves.

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See diminutive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny
Gram. expressing smallness or diminution: a diminutive suffix or name

Origin: ME & OFr diminutif < LL diminutivus < pp. of L deminuere, diminish

noun

a very small person or thing
1. a word or name formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallness in size or, sometimes, endearment or condescension, as ringlet (ring + -let), Jackie (Jack + -ie), lambkin (lamb + -kin)
2. such a suffix

Related Forms:

diminutively adverb
diminutiveness noun

See diminutive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Extremely small in size; tiny. See Synonyms at small.
Grammar Of or being a suffix that indicates smallness or, by semantic extension, qualities such as youth, familiarity, affection, or contempt, as -let in booklet, -kin in lambkin, or -et in nymphet.

noun

Grammar A diminutive suffix, word, or name.
A very small person or thing.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English diminutif

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin dīminūtīvus

Origin: , variant of dēminūtīvus

Origin: , from dēminūtus

Origin: , past participle of dēminuere, to lessen; see diminish

.

Related Forms:

di·minˈu·tive·ly adverb

di·minˈu·tive·ness noun

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